WEBDESK: The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, DC, held a flag hoisting ceremony to mark the country’s 78th Independence Day and the victory in the Marka e Haq.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, raised the national flag to the tune of the national anthem. The event was attended by members of the Pakistani-American community, embassy officials, and media representatives.
The ceremony began with special Independence Day messages from the President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan. These messages reaffirmed the commitment to national unity, progress, and stability.
The programme also included national songs, video messages from members of the US Congress, and goodwill remarks from American students and citizens. Guests were later served a traditional Pakistani breakfast.
In his speech, Ambassador Sheikh called Pakistan “a miracle of history”, born from the courageous struggle of its founders. He said the two-nation theory was more valid today than ever.
He praised the armed forces for their success in Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, saying they had protected the country’s sovereignty against an attack by India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP government. He said Pakistan did not seek war, but it was forced upon the nation, and the country emerged stronger from the test.
The Ambassador described economic development as the “unfinished agenda” of the operation, stressing the need for a strong economy to make Pakistan’s defence unbreakable.
He highlighted recent economic achievements under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, noting improved foreign exchange reserves, a current account surplus after decades, lower inflation, and better credit ratings from Fitch, S&P, and Moody’s.
On Pakistan US relations, he said ties were on a “positive and developing path” and that strong relations between “two future major powers” were essential.
Calling the Pakistani American community the real strength of the nation, he urged them to help strengthen bilateral relations, adding, “Every Pakistani in the US is an ambassador for Pakistan.”
The event ended with Ambassador Sheikh thanking all participants for joining the celebrations of Pakistan’s Independence Day and the nation’s victory in the Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos.
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